Table of Contents
In cooler climates, the best time for moving hydrangea bushes is November, when the bush is dormant but the ground is not yet frozen solid. In warmer climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, you can do your hydrangea transplanting between December and February.
Can I dig up my hydrangea and move it?
A: While it is possible to transplant a large hydrangea plant, it will be very heavy, so plan to get help. Be sure to dig up as much of the hydrangea root ball as possible. The new planting site should be able to accommodate the mature, unpruned size of the plant. Select a site with well-drained soil.
When can I move an established hydrangea?
The best time to transplant an already established hydrangea is after the bush has gone dormant in the autumn. So this means after the flowers have all died off and the leaves have dropped.
Do hydrangeas go into shock when transplanted?
Transplant Shock Hydrangeas are easy to move, because while they are wide, their root systems are compact and not very deep. However, transplanting can shock a plant, causing it to wilt soon after the move. When uprooting the plant, dig as deeply as possible, to get as much of the root ball as you can.
What time of year do you repot hydrangeas?
For the best results, repot your hydrangea in spring or summer while the plant’s roots are actively growing. Choose a pot with drainage holes only 1 or 2 inches larger in diameter than its current pot.
Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?
Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they’re in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.
Can hydrangeas grow in full shade?
These shrubs grow best in partial or full shade, with a little direct morning sun and a lot of indirect light, such as the filtered light found under a high-canopied leafy tree. Many varieties of hydrangea love this type of location.
How deep do hydrangea roots go?
Most hydrangea plant roots remain in the top 6 inches of soil – you need to ensure that this topsoil layer remains damp, but not soggy.
How do you dig up a hydrangea bush?
Dig carefully. Use your shovel to make cuts around the hydrangea before actually digging it up. When pulling the plant up, remove with it as much of the rootball as possible. The rootball, dense with fibrous roots and soil, may be very heavy, so enlist help if you need it.
Can I split a hydrangea?
If you don’t see any shoots or are getting pieces without roots, entire hydrangea plants can be dug and split into two or more pieces. Other times, you might need a fork or shovel to help divide the plant. Either way, once you have two pieces with roots attached to each, you now have two plants to replant.
Should I cut off dead hydrangea blooms?
You should deadhead throughout the blooming season to keep your hydrangeas looking their beast and encourage new flower growth. However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place.
Why are my hydrangeas dying after planting?
The reason for a hydrangea dying is most often due to not enough moisture in the soil. Hydrangeas require the soil to be consistently moist and will droop or die because of drought. Hydrangeas can die due to frost damage, drought, transplant shock and because of too much sun.
How do you transplant hydrangeas in the spring?
Transplant hydrangea bushes in the early spring while the stems area still bare of leaves and when new growth has not started yet. Remove the weeds from a new planting area with good-draining soil and protection form wind. Spread a 9-inch-layer of compost over the area and mix it well into the loosened soil.
Can I repot hydrangea in spring?
All varieties should be repotted every year or two, and will give you signs when repotting becomes necessary. Hydrangeas purchased in containers should be planted in the spring or fall. It is advisable to wait until the end of flowering, in autumn, to repot your hydrangea in a larger pot.
Can hydrangeas be potted?
Most potted, gift hydrangeas fail to thrive because they’re kept indoors too long. But hydrangeas can be great potted plants, if you make good choices.
How long can hydrangeas live in pots?
Can hydrangeas grow in pots? It’s a good question, since the potted hydrangeas given as gifts rarely last more than a few weeks. The good news is that they can, as long as you treat them right. Since they can get quite big and produce stunning blossoms all summer long, growing hydrangeas in pots is well worth it.
What should I plant in front of my hydrangea?
Shrubs To Plant With Hydrangeas Azaleas, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, loropetalum and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color. You can select your favorite blossom color since the azalea blooms will have faded before your hydrangea is flowering.
Do hydrangeas like coffee grounds?
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Is afternoon sun OK for hydrangeas?
Light Requirements Hydrangeas grow best in morning sun. Direct sun in the afternoon can burn the large, soft leaves. For this reason, a location where the plant gets some sun in the morning and none the rest of the day is best, but late afternoon sun probably won’t hurt the hydrangea if it isn’t in direct sunlight.
Do hydrangeas like a lot of water?
Even though hydrangeas require more water than some other shrubs, they don’t like to be over-watered. It is best to have moist soil and not wet soil. One reason hydrangeas get over-watered is when they wilt in the afternoon sun. Watch the video above for tips on watering hydrangeas!.
What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?
No matter what part of the country you live in, the north-facing side of your home is largely without sunlight. Hydrangeas also thrive in wooded areas, so they do well when planted near small evergreens or woody shrubs.
Does a hydrangea come back every year?
Yes, hydrangeas will come back every year as long as they do not die over the winter. Some gift hydrangeas are not bred to be very winter hardy though. So sometimes hydraneas will not survive the winter. But in general, most hydrangeas will come back every year.
